Is your home energy efficient? If not, it probably should be. Homeowners that have upgraded their houses to be more energy efficient saved anywhere from 20 percent to 60 percent of energy usage in 2022. That doesn’t just translate to a lower carbon footprint — it also means more money in your pocket, because you won’t have to pay for as much electricity.
Heading into the spring, it’s the perfect time to look at your house and see where you can make efficiencies. We're starting to turn on the AC, tend to our gardens, and spend more time outdoors. Wouldn't it be nice to have extra money as a result?
Spring Forecast for Texas
It’s about to get warmer, y’all! Warmer than average, in fact. The long-range forecast shows that April and May will be a bit toastier than normal, with more rain than typical up north and the average amount of rain for the southern parts of Texas. The sun’s going to come out, too — so get that sunblock handy.
We can expect a warmer and sunnier spring than usual which means we can also expect to be using more energy to keep our homes cool. The increase in energy usage usually equates to higher bills. However, if you focus on energy efficiency in your home, you won’t have to worry about that. You can save money all season long, leaving cash in your wallet for the fun stuff, like getting ice cream at the beach and going for a walk amongst the wildflowers.
Energy Efficiency at Home for the Spring
If you want to make the most of your power usage at home throughout the spring, follow these tips to become more efficient energy.
Tip #1: Plant the Seeds of Energy Efficiency
Since we’re expecting this spring in Texas to be sunnier than normal, gardens can be a great tool for creating more efficiencies in your energy use. Not only can you eat the food you grow yourself, but depending on what you plant, you may also be able to make use of the shade produced in your garden. Trees or tall bushes, for example, can keep the sunlight out of your windows and give you a cooler spot to sit in.
That being said, you have to be mindful of your energy use in your garden for it to have an impact. Start by planting drought-resistant or local plants that will keep up throughout the seasons — even if you get little to no rain. When you do need to water them, opt for energy-efficient sprinklers. Some digital sprinkler systems can connect to your phone so you can adjust the water usage and turn them on and off from a distance. You can also set automatic watering schedules, which will stop you from forgetting to use them or turning them off. Plus, depending on the sprinklers you get, your system could integrate the weather. For example, if it’s going to rain, a smart sprinkler like the Rachio 3 will know not to turn on thus saving you money on both your water and electricity bills.
As far as lights for your garden, you don’t need them lit up unless you’re out there at night. So ditch the energy-sucking outdoor lights there — or use solar ones that will power themselves.
Tip #2: Efficient Air Conditioning Practices
Before temperatures start to rise, you’ll want to get your AC system inspected to make sure it’s working properly. If the system has any leaks or needs maintenance, it won’t run as efficiently as it could — and that’s going to cost you more money in the long run. So call someone to come out and check it, as well as the insulation throughout your home. Losing comfortable air through cracks and drafts will cause your AC to work harder.
You should also consider installing a smart thermostat. These devices connect to your phone so you can set programs remotely and change the temperature in your home with a single touch on your device. Smart thermostats will learn the habits of you and your house and can learn from that — eventually coming up with a program for heating and cooling that makes the most sense for your home and saves you money on your bills.
Tip #3: Open the Window to a More Efficient Home
Open your windows wisely to make the best use of the lovely spring weather, while it lasts. If it’s nice out, shut off the AC system and leave the windows open. We know the wildflowers will be in bloom, so let that sweet scent waft into your home. It’ll smell great and save you a bunch of energy costs. If you have windows that can create a cross-breeze through your house, keep them all open to let the fresh air blow through. If you are concerned about pesky bugs entering your home uninvited, you can install window screens to keep them out and still enjoy the breeze.
Speaking of windows, don’t forget to check the insulation around the windows too. Once you’ve got all the cool air in the house and it’s too hot to keep the windows open, you don’t want it to seep out of any cracks. Walk around with a lit candle to see if the flame sways in any breezes that might be coming through window frames.
Some other window tips: Close the blinds when the sun is shining directly into your windows. It’ll stop the house from warming up too much. If you get smart blinds and lights, you’ll save even more energy — the lights will shut off when they’re not needed and the blinds will open and close as needed based on the sunlight direction. You can program everything into your phone as well.
Tip #4: Make the Switch to LED
LED light bulbs are a great way to be more energy efficient in the spring (and year-round!) because they use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
By switching to LED bulbs, you can save money on your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint. This is because LED bulbs convert most of the energy they consume into light, rather than heat like incandescent bulbs. This makes them much more efficient at producing light while using less energy. LED bulbs also come in a wide range of color temperatures, so you can choose the right color for your needs. For example, cooler white or blue-toned lights can help keep you alert and focused during the day, while warmer yellow or orange-toned lights can create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere in the evening. With a smart bulb, you can control the color temperature, and brightness with your phone alongside your smart thermostat!
Saving energy over the spring is just as important as any other time of year. With these few easy fixes, you can keep that extra money in your wallet instead of tied up in your electricity bill. At NextVolt, we understand that saving money on energy bills is important to our customers and offer energy plans that make it easy to understand and save on your energy costs. Check out our plans to learn more and start saving with NextVolt Energy!